Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fish species and information / pictures of Pacific cod - Gadus macrocephalus

Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Gadus macrocephalus

Common Name
Pacific cod

Biology
Found mainly along the continental shelf and upper slopes (Ref. 1371). Forms schools (Ref. 9988). Appears to be indiscriminate predators upon dominant food organisms present (Ref. 1371). Young probably feed on copepods and similar organisms (Ref. 27547). Adults feed on fishes, octopi, and large benthic and benthopelagic crustaceans (Ref. 1371); also worms. Marketed fresh and frozen for human consumption (Ref. 2850), and also dried or salted and smoked (Ref. 9988). Eaten steamed, fried, broiled, boiled, micro-waved and baked (Ref. 9988). Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). The Bering Sea and Aleutian Island Alaska (Pacific) Cod - Freezer Longline fishery of this species has been certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (http://www.msc.org/) as well-managed and sustainable (http://www.msc.org/html/content_1243.htm).

Classification

Classified By

Tilesius, 1810

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Cods (Gadiformes)

Family

Cods and haddocks (Gadidae)

Distribution

Region

North Pacific

Distribution

North Pacific: Yellow Sea to the Bering Strait, along the Aleutians, and south to about Los Angeles, USA. Rare in the southern part of its range.

Range

63°N - 31°N, 119°E - 119°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

6 °C

Water Temperature To

9 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

1280 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; demersal; oceanodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 0 - 1280 m (Ref. 50550), usually 100 - 400 m (Ref. 54440)

Trophic Level

4.01 s.e. 0.69 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

119 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Musick et al. 2000 (Ref. 36717))

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated